Combination dispenser and waste receptacle

ABSTRACT

A combination dispenser and waste receptacle is provided having a dispenser including a storage cavity with a waste receptacle coupled to the dispenser. A passage extends through the dispenser and is in communication with the passage so that waste may be inserted into the waste receptacle through the passage without removing the dispenser from the waste receptacle. The dispenser may be formed of an outer shell and a bottom wall removably attached to the outer shell. Tissue or similar material may be stored in the storage cavity, and used tissue and other waste material may be disposed into the waste receptacle through the passage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a dispenser for dispensing tissueor similar items in combination with a receptacle for the storage ofused tissue and waste material.

Disposable tissue is commonly used in a variety of places including thecar. Tissues and other waste material are disposed of in waste basketsor other disposal areas, which need to be cleaned, emptied, or replaced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment of the present invention, a combination dispenser andwaste receptacle includes a dispenser with a storage cavity for holdingtissue or similar items. A slot extending through a wall of thedispenser permits access into the storage cavity and a passage extendsthrough the dispenser. The waste receptacle is coupled to the dispenserso that the passage communicates with the waste receptacle.

The waste receptacle may be removably attached to the dispenser such asby a snap attachment.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the combinationdispenser and waste receptacle includes a flip top cover for coveringthe passage. The flip top cover may be coupled to the combinationdispenser and waste receptacle with a compliant hinge. In still yetanother embodiment, the storage cavity is at least partially formed bythe flip top cover.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the combinationdispenser and waste receptacle includes graphic indicia such asadvertising indicia.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a combination dispenser andwaste receptacle includes a dispenser and a cup-shaped receptacle. Thedispenser includes a cylindrical storage container with a tubularpassage extending along an axis of the cylindrical storage containersuch that the cylindrical storage container and the tubular passagetogether define a generally toroidal storage cavity. The cylindricalstorage container further includes a slot adapted to permit externalaccess to and from the generally toroidal storage cavity. The cup-shapedwaste receptacle is removably attached to the dispenser with the tubularpassage in communication with an inner space of the waste receptacle.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the dispenser includes acylindrical outer wall and generally parallel top and bottom walls. Thetubular passage extends from the top wall to the bottom wall, and thebottom wall is removable from the cylindrical outer wall to permitaccess to the toroidal storage cavity.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the bottom wall andcylindrical outer wall removably attach to one another, and the bottomwall and cup-shaped waste receptacle removably attach to one another.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the dispenser is of atransparent material such as transparent plastic. In still yet anotherembodiment, at least one of the waste receptacle and dispenser iselastically deformable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B are front and top views, respectively, of a combinationdispenser and waste receptacle according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the combination dispenser and wastereceptacle taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1B;

FIG. 3 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the tissue dispenseraccording to the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a combination dispenser and wastereceptacle according to another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are cross sectional and top views, respectively, of analternative exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are cross sectional and top views, respectively, ofanother alternative embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 7A and 7B are cross sectional and top views, respectively, of yetanother alternative embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1A and 1B show a dispenser and waste receptacle assembly 10 forthe storage of fresh tissues and the disposal of used tissues. Theassembly 10 includes a dispenser 12 in which tissue 13 may be stored anda waste receptacle 14 removably attached to the dispenser 12, in whichused tissue or other waste material may be disposed of. The dispenser 12may be plastic, and may be partially transparent in order to allowvisual inspection of the amount of tissue within the dispenser. Suitablematerials of construction include thermoplastic materials as arecommonly used for disposable cups.

The waste receptacle 14 may be a disposable cup, such as a paper orthermoplastic cup. Such cups are currently mass produced and commonlyprovided at fast food restaurants, service stations, convenience stores,and coffee houses, and may also be purchased in bulk at a variety ofstores. A cup made of a thermoplastic material is especially useful assuch material can hygienically contain soggy or moist waste materialwithout leakage. One particular dispenser may fit multiple wastereceptacles of different sizes. Similarly, different sizes of dispensersmay be provided to fit different sizes of cups.

According to such an embodiment, because the dispenser can be used incombination with different waste receptacles, if a waste receptacle isremoved from the dispenser and discarded along with the waste itcontains, a new waste receptacle is readily available. A further benefitis that the present invention can provide additional utility to a cupthat has been used only once and that otherwise would be discarded afterthe first use.

Still another benefit of such an embodiment is that the assembly 10provides a convenient, transportable device. The assembly isparticularly useful in automobiles as it is dimensioned to fit in anautomobile cup holder providing quick and convenient access whiletraveling.

The dispenser 12 defines a storage cavity, explained in detail below, inwhich tissue or some other material can be stored. A slot 16 providesaccess to the tissue so that it may be accessed and removed from thedispenser for use. A passage 18 extends through the dispenser 12 andinto the waste receptacle 14 permitting used tissue or other wastematerial to be discarded into the waste receptacle without requiring theremoval of the dispenser from the waste receptacle.

With reference to the embodiment of FIG. 2, the assembly 10 is of agenerally cylindrical shape. The dispenser is formed of an outer shell20 and a bottom wall 22 which are configured to removably attach to oneanother. The outer shell 20 and the bottom wall 22 together form thestorage cavity 24 which is generally toroidal in shape for storage ofthe tissue 13 (see FIG. 1B). The waste receptacle 14 is generallycup-shaped, having an inside space 26 in which waste material may bedisposed of through the passage 18, which is in communication with theinside space 26 of the waste receptacle 14.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the outer shell 20 includes a generallycylindrical outer wall 28 extending about an axis of the assembly 10. Agenerally cylindrical passage wall 30 is generally concentric to theouter wall 28, also extending along the axis of the assembly 10, and atop wall 32 joins the outer wall 28 to the passage wall 30. Toward aninside lower edge, the outer wall 28 includes an annular shelf 34 facingdownwardly and an annular sealing flange 36 extending radially inwardlyaround a portion of an inner surface of the outer wall 28. The shelf 34and the flange 36 together define a groove 38. The bottom wall 22 isdisk shaped and includes a circular passage opening corresponding to thepassage wall 30 and which together with the passage wall forms passage18.

With reference again to FIG. 2, the outer shell 20 and the bottom wall22 may be removably attached to one another. In this embodiment, thebottom wall 22 enters the groove 38 and abuts the shelf 34 (see FIG. 3),and the passage wall 30 of the outer shell 20 aligns with the passageopening of the bottom wall 22 to define the passage 18. The combinationof the outer shell 20 and the bottom wall 22 define the storage cavity24, used for the storage of tissue.

With reference again to FIGS. 2 and 3, the waste receptacle 14 includesan outer lip 50 extending circumferentially at an upper edge of thewaste receptacle, protruding radially away from the structure of thewaste receptacle 14. The lip 50 mates with the groove 38 with the flange36 extending circumferentially underneath the lip, removably attachingthe waste receptacle 14 to the dispenser 12. When mated in the groove38, the lip 50 bears upon the bottom wall 22, holding it in positionagainst the inside outer shell 20, as described above.

As is well known for disposable cup and lid combinations, anycombination of the outer shell 20, bottom wall 22, and the wastereceptacle 14 may be provided for the releasable attachment of thecomponent parts. For example, in this embodiment, during insertion intothe groove 38 of the outer shell 20, the bottom wall 22 and the lip 50may flex slightly in order to pass over the flange 36. The outer wall 28may also flex slightly to accommodate passage of the bottom wall 22 andthe lip 50. Such a coupling is often referred to as a snap attachment orsnap-fit because the bottom wall 22 and the lip 50 snap into placewithin the groove 38 to removably attach to form the assembly 10. A snugfit may formed between the waste receptacle 14 and the dispenser 12 asthe lip 50 and the bottom wall 22 substantially fill the groove 38.

With reference again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the tissue 13 is placed in thestorage cavity. The tissue 13 may be replenished by removal of thereceptacle 14 and bottom wall 22 from the outer shell 20. The tissue maybe any one of a number of varieties. For example, as shown in FIG. 1,the tissue 13 is a standard pack of pocket tissues having a plurality ofstacked folded sheets. The sheets of tissue may be folded andinterleaved as is known in the art, with one panel of a top sheet oftissue extending from the slot 16, giving the user the ability to easilygrasp and pull the tissue, removing it from the storage cavity for use.Upon removal of the sheet of tissue, a panel of a subsequent sheet oftissue is partially removed from the storage cavity 24 and extendsthrough the slot 16, as known in the art. While not necessary, the stackof tissues is removed from any packaging to simplify dispensing.Referring to FIG. 1B, it should also be noted that when a stack of freshtissues is placed in the storage cavity aligned with the slot for use,there is still room within the storage cavity for a spare stack oftissue immediately opposite the first stack.

In another embodiment, the tissue may be wrapped continuously as a rollthat fits around the passage shell 30 within the toroidal shaped storagecavity 24, similar to a roll of toilet tissue. The roll of tissue mayinclude perforations at predetermined intervals for ease of removal fromthe roll, as is known in the art. In yet another embodiment, rather thantissues, a series of individually wrapped, premoistened tissues may bedisposed on a continuous roll within the storage cavity 24. Suitablepremoistened tissues include those sold under the trademark WET-NAP®.

The tissue is removed from the toroidal shaped storage cavity 24 throughthe slot 16. The slot 16 may be of any number of different shapes, andmay include one or more serrated portions (not shown) along one or moreedges to aid in the cutting and removal of a sheet of tissue. Forexample, a user may remove a portion of tissue from a roll through theslot 16, and pull the tissue portion laterally across a serrated edge tocut the tissue in order to remove one or more sheets of tissue from theroll.

Other variations on the general structure of the dispenser are possible.For example, while the passage in the embodiment disclosed is integralto the outer shell 20, some or all of the passage may be integral to thebottom wall 22. With reference to FIG. 4, a dispenser 80 includes apassage wall 80 which may extend upwardly from the passage opening 84 ofthe bottom wall 86. The passage wall 82 may define one segment of thepassage 88, while the passage wall 90 of the outer shell 92 may defineanother segment. For such an embodiment, the passage 88 is defined bythe passage wall 82 formed in the bottom wall, extending upwardly into apassage opening in the top wall 94. Also, the bottom wall may be shapedto form a trough 96 in which tissue can be placed. The trough 96 may beused to properly position the tissue relative to the bottom wall 86prior to coupling the bottom wall to the outer shell 92. As in theprevious embodiment, the dispenser 112 attaches to a waste receptacle 14with a snap attachment as described above.

With reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B, in an another alternative embodiment,a flip-top dispenser and waste receptacle assembly 100 is providedhaving a flip-top dispenser 102 and a waste receptacle 104. Thedispenser 102 may be attached to the waste receptacle 104 as previouslydescribed. The dispenser 102 includes a storage cavity 106 placed alongone side of the dispenser, extending partially into the waste receptacle104. A passage 108 extends through dispenser along another side of thedispenser in communication with the waste receptacle. A flip-top cover110 extends from the dispenser 102 at an outer rim 112 thereof. Theflip-top cover 110 may be incorporated into the dispenser by means of acompliant hinge 114, as shown in FIG. 5A, or may be attached to thedispenser by a mechanical hinge. The flip-top cover 110 swivels aboutthe hinge 114 to cover the passage 108 in a closed position, thuspotentially concealing the waste material.

With reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B, in another alternative embodimentwith a flip-top cover, a dispenser and waste receptacle assembly 200 isprovided having a dispenser 202 and a waste receptacle 204. Thedispenser 202 may be attached to the waste receptacle as previouslydescribed. The dispenser 202 includes a storage cavity 206 placedoutside the waste receptacle, extending below and above the top of thewaste receptacle 204. A passage 208 extends through the dispenser alongthe entire width of the waste receptacle 204. A flip-top cover 210 alsoextends from the dispenser 202, and swivels about a hinge into a closedposition covering the passage 208, as described above. The flip-topcover 210 may include tabs 212 which may be lifted by a user for ease ofopening and closing the flip-top cover.

With reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B, in yet another alternative embodimentwith a flip-top cover, a dispenser and waste receptacle assembly 300 isprovided having a dispenser 302 and a waste receptacle 304. Thedispenser 302 may be attached to the waste receptacle as previouslydescribed, and includes a passage 306 extending through the dispensersubstantially across the span of the waste receptacle 304. The dispensermay include a flip-top cover 308 having a storage cavity 310incorporated therein. The flip-top cover 308 swivels about a hinge aspreviously described, and is capable of being placed in a closedposition to cover the passage 306.

In any one of the embodiments described, the storage cavity may alsoinclude a cover such as a flip-top cover. Such a cover may be useful forstoring premoistened tissues that are not individually packaged. Theinclusion of a flip-top cover on the storage cavity allows the storagecavity to be closed to help prevent the premoistened tissues from dryingout.

In any one of the embodiments, the combination dispenser and wastereceptacle may be configured for the placement of advertising or otherindicia in the form of a message, image, or logo, which can be placed onany surface of the assembly. Because the combination dispenser and wastereceptacle can be mass produced with such advertising indicia at lowcost, a company could provide them to customers or potential customersas a giveaway in order to promote the goods or services of the company.The indicia may be etched in, painted, adhered, or printed on an outersurface of the outer shell 20 of the dispenser 12 (see FIGS. 1 and 2),for example.

In still another embodiment, numerous assemblies of the dispenser may beconfigured to stack within each other for ease of transport and moreefficient storage. For example, each of the outer wall 28 and thepassage wall 30 of the outer shell 20 (see FIG. 2) may include a slighttaper, allowing one outer shell to nest within another outer shell in astacking fashion. The outer wall 28 may be tapered away from the wastereceptacle, as shown in FIG. 2, while the passage wall may be taperedtoward the waste receptacle. In addition, the passage wall 40 of theembodiment shown in FIG. 4 may likewise include a taper away from thebottom wall 22 to allow stacking of a plurality of bottom walls 22.

Suitable materials of construction for the combination dispenser andwaste receptacle include thermoplastics such as PET, ABS, or high impactstyrene which may be injection molded or thermoformed into the desirableshapes.

While a snap attachment has been disclosed to form the attachmentbetween the dispenser and waste receptacle, other options may be used.For example, the dispenser and waste receptacle may be attached to oneanother by a threaded connection or any other known connection.

While the invention has generally been described as being useful in thatthe combination dispenser and waste receptacle may be placed within acup holder of an automobile, it should be recognized that other uses arepossible, some with minor modification. For example, for automobileswithout built-in cup holders, the device may include a “cup holder”feature that is either integral to the device, or detachable from thedevice. Such an accessory would allow the device to be attached to acar's dashboard, a car door, the back of a car seat, or to any one of anumber of other convenient locations on the car. Such cup holder devicesare well known. Similarly, the device may be used in many locationsother than an automobile. It may be used at the home, in a restroom, andmay even include either an integral or a detachable base that helps tokeep the device upright when placed on a countertop. The device may alsoinclude a holder that can be fastened to a wall or hung on a doorknob.Such a holder can either be integral to the unit, or may be provided asan accessory such that the device or any one of a number of differentcups may be placed in the holder. Such accessories and holders are wellknown for holding conventional cups, and further discussion is notnecessary.

Furthermore, it will also be understood that the present invention isnot limited to the shapes given to describe embodiments of the presentinvention. For example, the dispenser and the receptacle may generallybe cube shaped or rectangular box shaped. The passage may be similarlyshaped, or may be shaped differently than the dispenser.

While the invention has been described in its preferred embodiments, itis to be understood that the words which have been used are words ofdescription and not of limitation. Therefore, changes may be made withinthe scope of the appended claims without departing from the true scopeand spirit of the invention.

1. A combination dispenser and waste receptacle, comprising: a dispenserincluding a storage cavity, a passage extending through the dispenser,and a slot extending through a wall of the dispenser and into thestorage cavity; and a waste receptacle coupled to the dispenser and incommunication with the passage.
 2. The combination dispenser and wastereceptacle of claim 1 wherein the waste receptacle is removably attachedto the dispenser.
 3. The combination dispenser and waste receptacle ofclaim 2 wherein the dispenser is attached to the waste receptacle by asnap attachment.
 4. The combination dispenser and waste receptacle ofclaim 1, further comprising a flip top cover.
 5. The combinationdispenser and waste receptacle of claim 1 wherein the dispenser includesa flip top cover, wherein the storage cavity is at least partiallyformed by the flip top cover.
 6. The combination dispenser and wastereceptacle of claim 1, further comprising graphic indicia placed on atleast one of the dispenser and the waste receptacle.
 7. A combinationdispenser and waste receptacle comprising: a dispenser comprising acylindrical storage container with a tubular passage extending along anaxis of the cylindrical storage container such that the cylindricalstorage container and the tubular passage together define a generallytoroidal storage cavity, the cylindrical storage container furtherincluding a slot adapted to permit external access to and from thegenerally toroidal storage cavity; and a cup-shaped waste receptacleremovably attached to the dispenser with the tubular passage and incommunication with an inner space of the waste receptacle.
 8. Thecombination dispenser and waste receptacle of claim 7 wherein thedispenser comprises a cylindrical outer wall and generally parallel topand bottom walls, wherein the tubular passage extends from the top wallto the bottom wall, and the bottom wall is removable from thecylindrical outer wall to permit access to the toroidal storage cavity.9. The combination dispenser and waste receptacle of claim 8 wherein thetubular passage is integral to the top wall.
 10. The combinationdispenser and waste receptacle of claim 8 wherein the tubular passage isintegral to the bottom wall.
 11. The combination dispenser and wastereceptacle of claim 8 wherein the tubular passage is defined by firstand second segments with the first segment integral to the top wall andthe second segment integral to the bottom wall.
 12. The combinationdispenser and waste receptacle of claim 8 wherein the bottom wall andcylindrical outer wall removably attach to one another, and wherein thebottom wall and cup-shaped waste receptacle removably attach to oneanother.
 13. The combination dispenser and waste receptacle of claim 7wherein the dispenser is transparent.
 14. The combination dispenser andwaste receptacle of claim 7 wherein the dispenser is formed of plastic.15. The combination dispenser and waste receptacle of claim 7, furthercomprising graphic indicia placed on at least one of the dispenser andthe waste receptacle.
 16. A dispenser adapted to be removably attachedto a cup-shaped waste receptacle, the dispenser comprising: one or moreouter walls defining a storage cavity; a passage extending through thedispenser and in communication with the cup-shaped waste receptacle whenthe dispenser is attached to the cup-shaped waste receptacle; and a slotextending through at least one outer wall of the dispenser and into thestorage cavity.
 17. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the one or moreouter walls define a cylindrical storage container, and wherein thepassage is tubular and extends along an axis of the cylindrical storagecontainer such that the cylindrical storage container and the tubularpassage together define a generally toroidal storage cavity, and whereinthe slot permits external access to and from the generally toroidalstorage cavity.
 18. The dispenser of claim 16, further comprising awaste receptacle removably attached to the dispenser.
 19. The dispenserof claim 18, wherein the waste receptacle is removably attached to thedispenser by a snap attachment.
 20. The dispenser of claim 18, furthercomprising graphic indicia placed on at least one of the dispenser andwaste receptacle.